S&W Model 28 Highway Patrolman

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - S&W Model 28 Highway Patrolman (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 10/10/2011 12:32:54 PM EDT

care to enlighten me about these? local pawn shop has a model 28-2 with a 4" barrel in .357 mag. finish looks really good, so do the wood grips. there's no flame cutting above the cylinder gap. the cylinder doesn't have excessive movement, as far as i can tell. it also has the wide target trigger.

they want $500 out the door. is this a good price? should i hold out for that 6" 586 i've been looking for, or should i fly back to the pawn shop and buy it?

Posted: 10/10/2011 1:02:01 PM EDT

[#1]

Own two Mod 28 - a 4" five screw and a 28-2 6"..both have .400 wide case colored hammers- triggers are also case colored.

Both mine had minor wear muzzle wear[working guns] when purchased and I've shot a lot but no longer carry.

If looks NIB could be refinished ..28's have a flat blue finish. A local gun shop guy was telling me the refinished 28 he had for sale was a NEW gun..it'd been refinished and action was rough.

$500 would be a little sporty for me but then I've owned both of mine for a while - the 28-2 since 1977. I paid $95 from my barber whose BIL took as partial payments for legal fees- was assured it was not a murder weapon. As I recall paid $325 for the five screw in the early '90's.

I like old Smiths and N frames. I gave away a 686 shorty and seldom shoot my 6"....L frames were a cure for some minor K frame .357 woes..I shoot and carry several Mod 66 3"..probably just because I
got started on them and still shoot them fairly well.

Posted: 10/10/2011 1:07:34 PM EDT

[#2]

I would much rather have a 4 inch 28 than any 686, but that's just personal preference.

Smith & Wesson made the original 357 Magnum, which is now called the "Registered Magnum". This model later became the model 27.

The Model 28 is the "no frills" version of the Model 27. The Model 28 differs in having a matte blue finish, and lacks checkering on top of the frame and barrel rib of the Model 27.

$500 is about right for an excellent condition model 28. The 4 inch guns bring a little bit of a premium price over the 6 inchers.

Posted: 10/10/2011 1:16:52 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:

I would much rather have a 4 inch 28 than any 686, but that's just personal preference.

Smith & Wesson made the original 357 Magnum, which is now called the "Registered Magnum". This model later became the model 27.

The Model 28 is the "no frills" version of the Model 27. The Model 28 differs in having a matte blue finish, and lacks checkering on top of the frame and barrel rib of the Model 27.

$500 is about right for an excellent condition model 28. The 4 inch guns bring a little bit of a premium price over the 6 inchers.

The main difference between the 27 and the 28's were cosmetic. The 27 had a checkered top strap and barrel rib and a high polish blue. I have both a L frame 586 and a 27&28 N frame. The extra heft of the N frame helps on recoil with heavy loads.

Posted: 10/10/2011 2:51:36 PM EDT

[#4]

I've been looking for a 4" 28-2. If you decide not to buy PM me the location. If it's not too far I'll go pick it up.

Posted: 10/10/2011 4:13:35 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
I've been looking for a 4" 28-2. If you decide not to buy PM me the location. If it's not too far I'll go pick it up.

sorry man, i ended up buying it.

i have a couple of questions:

1. the cylinder moves more than i thought it did at the shop. when i hold down the trigger and move it, its not so bad. but when the hammer is down and the trigger is in its normal place, it moves a noticeably more.

2. i can hear something sliding around inside the pistol when i move it front to back. i tried taking the side plate off, but it wouldn't budge and i have a limited set of tools here so i decided not to press things further.

i'd like to find out what's moving around inside before i shoot it. as far as i can tell, everything functions normally. the trigger pull, both double action and single action, is wonderful.

Posted: 10/10/2011 4:23:55 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:

Quoted:

I've been looking for a 4" 28-2. If you decide not to buy PM me the location. If it's not too far I'll go pick it up.

sorry man, i ended up buying it.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/newaccordguy/HPIM1178.jpg

i have a couple of questions:

1. the cylinder moves more than i thought it did at the shop. when i hold down the trigger and move it, its not so bad. but when the hammer is down and the trigger is in its normal place, it moves a noticeably more.

2. i can hear something sliding around inside the pistol when i move it front to back. i tried taking the side plate off, but it wouldn't budge and i have a limited set of tools here so i decided not to press things further.

i'd like to find out what's moving around inside before i shoot it. as far as i can tell, everything functions normally. the trigger pull, both double action and single action, is wonderful.

I little cylinder wiggle is fine when the hammer is not all the way back and the cylinder locked. The shaking you hear in the hammer bar safety inside, It blocks the hammer from hitting the firing pin if the trigger is not held back. DO NOT EVER pry to remove the side plate. Instead after you have removed the side plate screws, grasp the pistol and lightly put your thumb on the side plate. Take a plastic mallet or old screw driver handle and lightly rap on the grip frame, the repeated vibrations will shake the plate loose for easy removal.

Posted: 10/10/2011 5:06:29 PM EDT

[#7]

p08, the firing pin is on the hammer of Mod 28's. There is no transfer bar system..hammer to bar to pin.

No gunsmith here but can't imagine what would/should be rattlin'.

Good advise on sideplate removal..lot of screws, plates buggered by unnecessary removal.

The Goncalo Alves grips were not standard on mod 28.

This revolver may have been refreshed..bluing looks different than my "old" 28's but that is just an observation and is neither good nor bad.

Posted: 10/10/2011 5:16:30 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

p08, the firing pin is on the hammer of Mod 28's. There is no transfer bar system..hammer to bar to pin.

No gunsmith here but can't imagine what would/should be rattlin'.

Good advise on sideplate removal..lot of screws, plates buggered by unnecessary removal.

The Goncalo Alves grips were not standard on mod 28.

This revolver may have been refreshed..bluing looks different than my "old" 28's but that is just an observation and is neither good nor bad.

It matters not if the gun has a hammer nose or not, there is still an internal hammer block. It's part 7033.

Posted: 10/10/2011 9:59:38 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I've been looking for a 4" 28-2. If you decide not to buy PM me the location. If it's not too far I'll go pick it up.

sorry man, i ended up buying it.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/newaccordguy/HPIM1178.jpg

i have a couple of questions:

1. the cylinder moves more than i thought it did at the shop. when i hold down the trigger and move it, its not so bad. but when the hammer is down and the trigger is in its normal place, it moves a noticeably more.

2. i can hear something sliding around inside the pistol when i move it front to back. i tried taking the side plate off, but it wouldn't budge and i have a limited set of tools here so i decided not to press things further.

i'd like to find out what's moving around inside before i shoot it. as far as i can tell, everything functions normally. the trigger pull, both double action and single action, is wonderful.

That is one nice looking revolver. I love N frames.
pat

Posted: 10/10/2011 11:06:11 PM EDT

[#10]

Great gun, fair price...they are up considerably from only a couple of years ago. I own 3 and love em all. Sometimes the internal hammer block will rattle a little if a gun is dry. Also I assume you reloved the grips to a) try and get the sideplate off and b) make sure nothing was inside there causing the rattle.

Posted: 10/11/2011 2:53:57 AM EDT

[#11]

p08, SORREEE..you are, of course, right on the hammer block. I just visualized the firing pin on the hammer nose and translated that into there is NO TRANSFER BAR system on that revolver. Appreciate you keeping me straight until next time.

Posted: 10/11/2011 2:54:07 AM EDT

[#12]

Nice weapon and a reasonable price. Yes, the slight rattle is the transfer bar. You will not regret getting the 28 over an L-frame. Much better weapon.

Posted: 10/11/2011 3:57:35 AM EDT

[#13]

I love both my model 28s. Enjoy that gun.

Posted: 10/11/2011 10:03:26 AM EDT

[#14]

I got lucky and stumbled into a 28-2 4" that somebody hard chromed. Love that gun. Now that it wear some extended Spegel's it's my favorite Smith.

Posted: 10/11/2011 10:07:57 AM EDT

[#15]

Picture Test

Couple of old 28's

Hey, I had to post my first picture somewhere and know there is love here for 28's.

Posted: 10/11/2011 10:42:36 AM EDT

[#16]

Since we're posting our M28 pics ...

And a 5 inch M27

Posted: 10/11/2011 10:58:18 AM EDT

[#17]

Ok so I'll post pics of mine as well then!

28-3

28-2 recently sold this one NIB

and the 27-2

Posted: 10/11/2011 2:07:35 PM EDT

[#18]

thanks for all of the responses and pictures guys. i'm swamped this week, so next week i'm going to try to get the side plate off to see what is rattling around and to oil it. then i'll take it out and shoot it.

any recommendations for loads or holsters would be greatly appreciated.

Posted: 10/11/2011 2:11:57 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:

thanks for all of the responses and pictures guys. i'm swamped this week, so next week i'm going to try to get the side plate off to see what is rattling around and to oil it. then i'll take it out and shoot it.

any recommendations for loads or holsters would be greatly appreciated.

Unless you put grease or heavy oil in the hammer safety it will still rattle. It's normal for it anyway I wouldn't worry yourself about it.

Posted: 10/11/2011 6:53:10 PM EDT

[#20]

Congrats on the new revolver. Forget about the rattle and shoot the thing.

Posted: 10/11/2011 8:06:38 PM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
Since we're posting our M28 pics ...
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/P1030468.JPG
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/P1030576.JPG
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/M28-2.JPG

And a 5 inch M27
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/P1030114.JPG

I'll play too. Here is my contribution:

In revolver form - there is nothing more sexier than a 4" N-frame.

Picked it up at a local gun shop about 3 years ago for approx. $350. A little honest wear on the muzzle with turn lines on the cylinder. But damn...she sure does lock up tight - bank vault tight.

Posted: 10/12/2011 12:02:10 PM EDT

[#22]

Near new, will less than a 100 rounds fired through it when I bought it a year ago. The original grips are gone and it came with the grips in the picture.
It is a 1975 manufacture. It is very accurate.

Posted: 10/13/2011 5:35:17 AM EDT

[#23]

Very nice looking 28

Congrats. I too would rather have it than the L frame.

Posted: 10/13/2011 7:17:10 AM EDT

[#24]

Sweet!

Posted: 10/13/2011 10:13:32 PM EDT

[#25]

threads like these make me want to go shoot one of my two 28-2's and buy a Model 27

Posted: 10/13/2011 10:19:18 PM EDT

[#26]

I need a 27 to go with my 25-13 Mountain Gun, I think.

I love N frames.

Posted: 10/14/2011 10:48:08 PM EDT

[#27]

Quoted:

Quoted:
thanks for all of the responses and pictures guys. i'm swamped this week, so next week i'm going to try to get the side plate off to see what is rattling around and to oil it. then i'll take it out and shoot it.

any recommendations for loads or holsters would be greatly appreciated.

Unless you put grease or heavy oil in the hammer safety it will still rattle. It's normal for it anyway I wouldn't worry yourself about it.

Listen to Po8 YOUR Reg Magnum,Mod 27,mod 28 will rattle when rocked front to back ,same as your 1911 will r ock when shaken from east to west !

It's part of rhe package!

Bob

Posted: 10/15/2011 5:06:37 PM EDT

[#28]

Here's mine, a 1966-67 S-prefix 28-2. Mine's been refinished but is a good shooter. It now wears the smaller magna grips instead of the bigger target grips. The target trigger and hammer are also gone, replaced by the stock parts.

Posted: 10/15/2011 5:49:00 PM EDT

[#29]

Congrats on picking up your classic Smith! Mine's vintage 1963:

Posted: 11/2/2011 6:03:11 PM EDT

[#30]

as usual, arfcom was right. the rattle i was hearing was the hammer block saftey lever thing-a-ma-jig. i mean, its not that i doubted anybody....

i'm glad i did have it opened up though. one of my dad's friends took it apart for me and showed me how to do it. it was a good experience. we noticed that this pistol has had a trigger job, and a pretty shitty one at that. once i shoot it, if its too bad i'll take the necessary steps to fix it. now if i could just find a decent leather holster.

Posted: 11/2/2011 8:31:30 PM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:
... now if i could just find a decent leather holster.

Check out Lobo, good leather at reasonable prices. He's also on the S-W Forum. Maybe a classic Threepersons would suit you.

Oh, and you did good on your HP. They used to be cheap(er), guns, but people have been finding out what nice shooters they are, so prices have been going up. That, and they aren't making any more.

My one and only:

Your going to like the way your gun shoots, I am sure. Mines like a laser

Posted: 11/7/2011 6:06:16 AM EDT

[#32]

Just picked up this 28-2 with matching SN box a week ago.
Question, thinking about some wider wood target grips for it, is it a square butt or round butt?

Posted: 11/7/2011 6:33:44 AM EDT

[#33]

drobs, 28-2 is a sq butt.
Nice hogleg

Posted: 11/7/2011 6:35:48 AM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
drobs, 28-2 is a sq butt.
Nice hogleg

Thank you Sir!

Posted: 11/7/2011 7:00:35 AM EDT

[#35]

I took new pics of my N frame 357's last night

28-2 4 inch by Gemini Customs
27-2 5 inch tuned by Alex Hamilton
28-2 6 inch

Posted: 11/7/2011 7:04:34 AM EDT

[#36]

Nice collection, looks like some slick shooter there Warhawk

Posted: 11/7/2011 2:25:33 PM EDT

[#37]

way too many nice pistols in this thread. i still haven't shot mine yet, but come hell or high water i WILL shoot is this week.

Posted: 11/7/2011 4:20:46 PM EDT

[#38]

I have a 70s vintage 4" with less than 100 rounds through it. I put it back in its box, and will give it to my son. Only two N-frames in my possession: this is inexcusable! Must buy another and shoot the life out of it.

Posted: 11/8/2011 1:08:34 PM EDT

[#39]

I have a 6" 5 screw pre mod Hwy. Ptl. in excellent condition and a 28-2 4" that is apart right now for some work. I'll be shooting light load 357s if or when I get back to shooting at all.

Posted: 12/3/2011 6:24:57 AM EDT

[#40]

My first job as a LEO was on the sheriff dept. I was issued a model 28 it had a 4" bbl., it was a GREAT revolver a little heavy though, a couple of years later we were issued 686's, I liked those as well. We were offered the opportunity to purchase our model 28's for a cheap price, I screwed up and did't purchase mine, big mistake by me.

Posted: 12/3/2011 6:38:20 AM EDT

[#41]

I cant believe with all these responses nobody had told you:

DO NOT MESS AROUND WITH THE SIDE PLATE, IT WILL BE A MASSIVE FAIL!!

It probably does NOT need a trigger job, and you don't know how to properly perform one judging from your own comments.
Your curiosity is not a substitute for solid gunsmithing skills. You will gain nothing from removing that plate, you can improve nothing in there. Nothing under there requires 'maintenance' such as oiling or anything else. You will only succeed in boogering up the screw heads and mating surfaces of the plate, losing springs, etc.

It looks like a mighty fine revolver, in great shape. I love my 28-2! Here it is dirty from shooting:

They are the best and finest example of the rugged working-man's wheel gun in my opinion. You'll know if the finish is original if you look at at the gun and see that the front area of the trigger guard on up to the bottom of the barrel are a matte black flat finish, while the flats/side of the gun are a standard dark matte blue.

Posted: 12/3/2011 9:58:30 AM EDT

[#42]

Quoted:
I cant believe with all these responses nobody had told you:

DO NOT MESS AROUND WITH THE SIDE PLATE, IT WILL BE A MASSIVE FAIL!!

-snip-
.

I'll grant you it isn't a place for a 12 year old's first adventure with a dollar store screwdriver, but there isn't any magic required to remove S&W side plates.

Posted: 12/4/2011 10:40:53 AM EDT

[#43]

If we're doing pictures, here's my 3 28s: (I also have a 5 inch 27 that I don't have a stand alone picture of.)

Posted: 12/5/2011 5:32:32 AM EDT

[#44]

I just picked up a 28-2 s prefix serial num 66 manufacture date.Has a 6 in barrel.I had a GP100 blued on layaway saw the 28 changed my mind!It is in mint condition no wear at all.I had a friend who carried the 28 check her out.He said wow never been refinished all original!Now I want a 4 in and a 27 5 in.I shot the pistol tuesday very accurate.The weight absorbs a lot of the recoil.

Posted: 12/5/2011 8:40:48 AM EDT

[#45]

Quoted:
Nice collection, looks like some slick shooter there Warhawk

Thanks, I still want to get a 3 1/2 inch model 27.

Posted: 12/5/2011 1:17:59 PM EDT

[#46]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I cant believe with all these responses nobody had told you:

DO NOT MESS AROUND WITH THE SIDE PLATE, IT WILL BE A MASSIVE FAIL!!

-snip-
.

I'll grant you it isn't a place for a 12 year old's first adventure with a dollar store screwdriver, but there isn't any magic required to remove S&W side plates.

Amen !!! tThere is alot I can do under that plate!

Posted: 12/5/2011 1:29:58 PM EDT

[#47]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I cant believe with all these responses nobody had told you:

DO NOT MESS AROUND WITH THE SIDE PLATE, IT WILL BE A MASSIVE FAIL!!

-snip-
.

I'll grant you it isn't a place for a 12 year old's first adventure with a dollar store screwdriver, but there isn't any magic required to remove S&W side plates.

Amen !!! tThere is alot I can do under that plate!

Aww, go back and play with your Colts. Leave us S&W guys alone.

Posted: 12/6/2011 6:47:05 AM EDT

[#48]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I cant believe with all these responses nobody had told you:

DO NOT MESS AROUND WITH THE SIDE PLATE, IT WILL BE A MASSIVE FAIL!!

-snip-
.

I'll grant you it isn't a place for a 12 year old's first adventure with a dollar store screwdriver, but there isn't any magic required to remove S&W side plates.

Amen !!! tThere is alot I can do under that plate!

Aww, go back and play with your Colts. Leave us S&W guys alone.

Good morning Dan, I have more S&W than Colts LOL!!!